SALVADOR, Brazil (July 1, 2014) – The U.S. Men’s National Team nearly pulled off the most dramatic of late comebacks, but Belgium held off the vigorous late efforts to earn a 2-1 victory against the USA in the Round of 16 at the 2014 FIFA World Cup at Arena Fonte Nova.
Tim Howard had one of the best goalkeeping efforts in U.S. MNT and FIFA World Cup history with 16 saves. It is the most saves since FIFA has recorded that statistic in the World Cup.
Julian Green made his FIFA World Cup debut and scored in extra time to keep the USA’s hopes alive when the squad was trailing by two goals.
Romelu Lukaku’s 105th-minute tally proved to be the game-winner. Kevin De Bruyne assisted Lukaku’s goal and also scored an unassisted goal in the third minute of extra time.
With all of the defensive efforts during a scoreless 90-minute regulation, the USA had a high-percentage scoring chance in the third minute of stoppage time when Jermaine Jones headed the ball to a wide-open Chris Wondolowski at the edge of the six-yard box, but the striker’s right-footed shot skewed wide of the goal.
Belgium advances to the tournament quarterfinals against Argentina on Saturday, July 5, at Estadio Nacional Mane Garrincha in Brasilia (12 p.m. ET, ABC).
For full standings and results, visit ussoccer.com‘s 2014 FIFA World Cup homepage.
Next on the Schedule:
The U.S. MNT is currently scheduled to face the Czech Republic on Sept. 3 in Prague, Czech Republic. The kickoff time and stadium information will be announced at a later date. The USA is now 32-13-9 all-time under Klinsmann.
Additional Notes:
- The USA is now 8-19-6 all-time in the FIFA World Cup while Belgium moves to 14-17-9 all-time.
- The USA is 1-5-0 all-time against Belgium.
- The U.S. MNT moves to 5-3-2 in 2014.
- The USA is now 2-6-1 all-time in games played in Brazil.
- U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann’s starting lineup featured Tim Howard in goal and the same back line from the Germany match: left back DaMarcus Beasley, right back Fabian Johnson and center backs Omar Gonzalez and Matt Besler.
- The USA’s 4-3-3 formation featured a midfield of Geoff Cameron on the right, Michael Bradley in the middle and Jermaine Jones on the left. This marked Cameron’s first start in the midfield after starting on the back line against Ghana and Portugal. It also was Cameron’s sixth international cap in a midfield role.
- The front line included Alejandro Bedoya, Clint Dempsey wearing the captain’s armband and Graham Zusi.
- Defender DeAndre Yedlin was called upon early when Johnson limped off the field with an apparent right hamstring injury. Yedlin moved directly to Johnson’s right back position.
- Chris Wondolowski entered the match for Zusi in the 72nd minute and Dempsey.
- With his final sub, Klinsmann brought in Julian Green, who made his first FIFA World Cup appearance when he replaced Bedoya in the second minute of stoppage time of the first 15-minute overtime.
– U.S. Men’s National Team Match Report –
Match: U.S. Men’s National Team vs. Belgium
Date: July 1, 2014
Competition: 2014 FIFA World Cup – Round of 16
Venue: Estadio Fonte Nova; Salvador, Brazil
Kickoff: 4 p.m. ET
Attendance: 51,227
Weather: 79 degrees, cloudy
Scoring Summary: 1 2 OT1 OT2 F
USA 0 0 0 1 1
BEL 0 0 2 0 2
BEL – Kevin De Bruyne 93rd minute
BEL – Romelu Lukaku (Kevin De Bruyne) 105
USA – Julian Green (Michael Bradley) 107
Lineups:
USA: 1-Tim Howard; 23-Fabian Johnson (2-DeAndre Yedlin, 32), 3-Omar Gonzalez, 5-Matt Besler, 7-DaMarcus Beasley; 20-Geoff Cameron, 4- Michael Bradley, 13-Jermaine Jones; 11-Alejandro Bedoya (16-Julian Green,105+2), 8-Clint Dempsey (capt.), 19-Graham Zusi (18-Chris Wondolowski, 72)
Subs Not Used: 6-John Brooks, 10-Mix Diskerud, 12-Brad Guzan, 14-Brad Davis, 15-Kyle Beckerman, 17-Jozy Altidore, 21-Timmy Chandler, 22-Nick Rimando, 23-Aron Johannsson
Head Coach: Jurgen Klinsmann
BEL: 1-Thibaut Courtois; 2-Toby Alderweireld, 4-Vincent Kompany (capt.), 5-Jan Vertonghen, 15-Daniel Van Buyten; 6-Axel Witsel, 7-Kevin De Bruyne, 8-Marouane Fellaini, 10-Eden Hazard (22-Nacer Chadli, 111), 14-Dries Mertens (11-Kevin Mirallas, 60); 17-Divock Origi (9-Romelu Lukaku, 91)
Subs not used: 3-Thomas Vermaelen, 12-Simon Mignolet, 13-Sammy Bossut, 18-Nicolas Lombaerts,19-Mousa Dembele, 20-Adnan Januzaj, 23-Laurent Ciman
Not Available: 16-Steven Defour (red card), 21-Anthony Vanden Borre (injury)
Head Coach: Marc Wilmots
Stats Summary: USA / BEL
Shots: 15 / 38
Shots on Goal: 9 / 27
Saves: 16 / 4
Corner Kicks: 4 / 19
Fouls: 11 / 27
Offside: 0 / 2
Misconduct Summary:
USA – Geoff Cameron (caution) 18th minute
BEL – Vincent Kompany (caution) 42